Following Strikes on Southern Lebanon… Salam Calls on Israel to Halt Escalation
8/15/2026 1:10:00 PM
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday condemned the latest Israeli escalation in southern Lebanon, calling the strikes and heavy shelling in Nabatieh, Ansar, Deir al-Zahrani and surrounding villages extremely dangerous and warning that they undermine efforts to restore stability in the south.
Salam said the escalation, which began at dawn, had been accompanied by airstrikes, intense shelling and what he described as the intimidation of residents in their homes.
“The seven people killed in the Israeli strike on Ansar were not military infrastructure, and the children and women killed were not military targets,” Salam said.
He stressed that any military infrastructure found on Lebanese territory would be the sole responsibility of the Lebanese state to address through the Lebanese Army and other legitimate state institutions.
“The presence of such infrastructure does not give Israel the right to violate Lebanese territory or put civilians at risk,” he said.
“Israel must stop this escalation,” Salam added. “The security of our people and their right to live on their land are not up for negotiation or compromise.”
Salam said the escalation, which began at dawn, had been accompanied by airstrikes, intense shelling and what he described as the intimidation of residents in their homes.
“The seven people killed in the Israeli strike on Ansar were not military infrastructure, and the children and women killed were not military targets,” Salam said.
He stressed that any military infrastructure found on Lebanese territory would be the sole responsibility of the Lebanese state to address through the Lebanese Army and other legitimate state institutions.
“The presence of such infrastructure does not give Israel the right to violate Lebanese territory or put civilians at risk,” he said.
“Israel must stop this escalation,” Salam added. “The security of our people and their right to live on their land are not up for negotiation or compromise.”